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Students Gain Hands-On Experience Under the Guidance of Prof. Mehboob Anwer Khan and Team
Aligarh, 02 March 2025, The Department of Civil Engineering, Zakir Husain College of Engineering & Technology, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), successfully organized a short educational tour to Aligarh Junction (NCR) on March 1, 2025. The visit was conducted as part of the undergraduate course CEC/CECE-3170: Transportation Engineering (Railway Engineering) and aimed to provide hands-on exposure to railway track components and their engineering applications.
The tour saw active participation from over 110 students from B.Tech. and B.E. (civil engineering) IIIrd Year (VI Semester). The students were accompanied by a distinguished team of faculty members, including Prof. Mehboob Anwer Khan (Tour In-charge), Prof. M. Masroor Alam, Prof. Kausar Ali, Dr. Md. Rehan Sadique, Dr. Mohd. Suhaib Ahmad, Dr. Aparna Kanth, Dr. S. M. Ibrahim, Dr. Arshad Husain (University Polytechnic), Dr. Saad Shamim Ansari, Mr. M. Tabish, Mr. Salim Mehtab, and Miss Varisha. Additionally, key non-teaching staff members also played a role in coordinating the visit, including Mr. Khadim Abbas, Mr. Faiq Hussain, Mr. Hamid Ali, Mr. Aslam Ali, Mr. Shamshad Ahmad, and Mr. Tariq Sayeed.
The students were welcomed by senior North Central Railway (NCR) engineers, who provided valuable insights into modern railway track components, maintenance techniques, and safety measures. The key areas of focus during the visit included sleepers, welded rails, switches, expansion joints, points, crossings, ultrasonic wave testing systems for rail defect detection, signaling mechanisms, and track maintenance techniques.
Railway engineers explained the importance of modernization in railway track construction and maintenance. They elaborated on how advanced techniques such as Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD) are used to identify potential defects in rails and welded joints, ensuring train safety and smooth operations. Mr. Laxmikant Jha, Assistant Divisional Engineer (NCR, Aligarh), shared his expertise on the role of railway engineering in ensuring safe and efficient train movement, highlighting the significance of continuous track monitoring and timely maintenance.
Other key railway officials who interacted with the students included Mr. Manav Pundir, Senior Section Engineer (Permanent Way, NCR, Aligarh), who specializes in track maintenance; Mr. Mukesh Sharma, Senior Section Engineer (Permanent Way, NCR, Aligarh), responsible for railway track inspections; Mr. Mohd. Arshad Qureshi, Senior Section Engineer (Ultrasonic Section, NCR, Aligarh), who is an expert in Ultrasonic Flaw Detection (USFD); Mr. Deepak Kumar, Senior Section Engineer (NCR, Aligarh); and Mr. Shriram Sharma, Senior Section Engineer (Construction Division, NCR, Aligarh), who oversees ongoing construction projects.
Expressing his satisfaction with the success of the visit, Prof. Mehboob Anwer Khan, tour in charge, remarked that the visit provided an invaluable opportunity for students to see real-world applications of railway engineering concepts. He emphasized that understanding how modern rail track components function, how defects are identified, and how maintenance is carried out will enhance their technical knowledge and industry readiness. He also acknowledged the cooperation from North Central Railway engineers, which made the visit both insightful and engaging.
Prof. S.A. Raza, praised the flawless organization of the event and stated that the entire credit for organizing, managing, and ensuring the successful execution of this visit goes to Prof. Mehboob Anwer Khan, along with the support of other faculty members and staff. He noted that it was a privilege to witness such an interactive and well-coordinated educational tour.
Students actively engaged in discussions with railway engineers, asking questions about track construction techniques, safety protocols, and future developments in railway technology. The interactive session allowed students to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical applications. The cooperation extended by the North Central Railway engineers was deeply appreciated, as they guided the students in groups, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of railway track modernization and maintenance.
The visit concluded with a vote of thanks from the faculty members, expressing their gratitude to the railway officials, AMU administration, and the students for their enthusiasm. This educational tour not only enriched students’ understanding of railway engineering but also strengthened the university’s academic-industry collaboration.
